Industrial Agricultural Products Center
Biopolymers, Biochemicals, Biofuels, Biopower
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Plastics consumption continues to rise, worldwide, and only a small percentage of plastic is recycled. The rest is landfilled or incinerated, both of which have serious short- and long-term enviromental pollution implications. |
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Starch and synthetic "biodegradable" substitutes have been researched and developed, some of which are commercially available. In order to perform as well as normal plastic polymers, starch must be chemically modified or blended with other polymers.
One of IAPC's current projects, primarily funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), will evaluate the attributes of extrusion blending starch acetate (a chemically modified starch) and three commercially available polymers, one starch-based and the other two petroleum-based. |
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Selected physical, mechanical, thermal and morphological properties will be evaluated with respect to foamed (loose fill packaging), sheeted and thermo-formed (food trays, egg cartons, plates, bowls) and injection molded applications.
We believe the blended composites will be both functional and biodegradable. Comprehensive data on the composites, with respect to specific applications, will facilitate the transfer of this technology to the market place. |